…ERC urges respect, tolerance during elections campaign

THE Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has called on citizens, particularly politicians, to promote messages of peace and harmony and eschew incidents of abuse and intimidation during the current elections campaign.

In a statement on Saturday, the ERC said it remains mindful of the various incidents of intimidation, abuse and assault on Guyanese while they were engaged in activities to sensitise the masses on political messages reflective of the parties they represent. Such acts, the body said, which are counterproductive to the valiant efforts being made for the fostering of unity and harmony, have no place in society and must be condemned. “In doing so, the commission wishes to reiterate sentiments it repeatedly expressed in the past for the periods, prior and post of the March 02, 2020, General and Regional elections, be free of hate, violence and racial or any other form of incitement.”

According to the ERC, at the beginning of this year, in a public message, it stated its expectation for peaceful and transparent elections in keeping with democratic principles. “That desire remains foremost and the commission urges all to act responsibly and to demonstrate an unwavering sense of tolerance and respect for each other. Our freedoms are enshrined allowing each and every Guyanese the democratic right to freely associate and support a political party of his/her choice and to engage in lawful activities concomitant with election campaigning. That must be respected.”

The ERC said following its reconstitution in 2018, leaders and representatives of various political parties, including President David Granger and Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, were engaged. Mutual sentiments for peace and unity were expressed, the body said. In addition, in the run-up to the 2018 Local Government Elections, all Members of Parliament were written to in an effort to remind them of the importance of keeping the campaigns and other interactions, including social media, free of any utterance which can impact negatively on national harmony and good relations amongst Guyanese, the ERC said.

It noted that following those engagements and correspondence, expectations for the realisation of those mutual desires for peace, were therefore rife. “Unfortunately, utterances like, “giving jobs only to my people”, “chase them out” and “war break”, from some public officials, did not help national efforts to promote harmony. Regrettably, their effects are still being felt,” the ERC stated.

The commission said it firmly believes that incidents of harassment, the removal of party flags and prevention of persons to mount, social media incitement and attacks including those on some performing artistes, propagation of religious preference, referencing Guyanese by ethnicity as tokenism and the alleged stereotyping of ethnic groups as “hardheaded”, are most unhelpful to building and sustaining a cohesive nation.
“The commission reminds that while it is constitutionally mandated to promote harmony and good relations, the task can only be realised through the collective efforts of all Guyanese. In that regard, it takes this opportunity to commend those, including public officials, who expressed disapproval over some of the actions in question. An appeal is therefore made to all involved for a collective endeavor to be amicable in disagreement, to work in the best interest of Guyana and Guyanese, to build upon the bonds of togetherness and to ensure that the elections are not catalysts for division,” the ERC noted.
The commission also called for an immediate cessation of all hostilities during and after this campaign period and reminds that the welfare of the country and its people is in the hands of all. “The Commission will, in the near future, embark on initiatives to examine inherent causes which have led to current suspicions and stereotypes and explore possible mitigating measures. Guided by its constitutional parameters in the discharge of its mandate, it will also endeavor to re-engage the political leadership while monitoring the current situation,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, only last week, Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, condemned the behaviour of persons who sought to disrupt other parties from advertising their programme. Ramjattan reassured that the Guyana Police Force is ready and fully capable for the election period. “It is prepared and I believe there is going to be 100 per cent security all across the country…”

Additionally, Director-General, Joseph Harmon, called on the PPP/C to be responsible in their campaign message and avoid comments of division since such can lead to violence and a vehement election campaign. “The statements which they make on the platforms and their communities where they have their supporters will have an impact on people everywhere in this country,” the Director General stated. Harmon further noted that the APNU+AFC does not encourage or condone acts of violence. “We don’t encourage that kind of behaviour, we believe in civil campaigning and that is what we have always done. We believe that this country needs to be united and unity is our message. We’ve said it at our campaign launch and at our campaign rally. We believe that unity is where this country needs to go and not [division],” he stated.